Biography

Welcome to Mississippi Heat’s 13th album, just in time for the venerable Chicago blues band to celebrate its 30th Anniversary!

Mississippi Heat stands as one of the longest running bands in Chicago, as well as a launching pad for many blues players who’ve gone on to successful solo careers. MH’s alumni reads like a Who’s Who of Chicago Blues past and present: Billy Flynn, Lurrie Bell, Carl Weathersby, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, Deitra Farr, Bob Stroger, Calvin “Fuzz” Jones, James Wheeler, Barrelhouse Chuck, Jon McDonald, Robert Covington, Bob Carter and more.

Mississippi Heat’s personnel may have changed over the decades, but the heart and soul of the music remains with Pierre Lacocque, who directs the band with his highly creative, virtuosic harmonica skills, stellar songwriting and artistic vision. MH embodies the traditional Chicago blues ensemble style, but Lacocque sometimes adds in some zydeco, world beats, Latin and jazz for spice; it’s not surprising since the Israeli-born native (of Christian parents from Belgium) has lived in and traveled to many different countries.

After playing harmonica in various blues bands in both Chicago and Canada (where he attended college) Lacocque formed his own band in 1991 (along with Jon McDonald, Bob Stroger and Robert Covington). Since then, Mississippi Heat has become an internationally acclaimed, beloved band that always features Chicago’s top talent playing original music. MH has performed all over the world, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Mexico, South America and Northern Africa.

Mississippi Heat celebrates its 30th anniversary, with the new album, Madeleine, on which Lacocque pays homage to both his musical band family and his own clan’s history. The title track — a passionate, heartfelt instrumental on which the bandleader bares his soul through his expressive harmonica prowess – is named after his maternal grandmother Emma Magdalena (Madeleine) Van der Linden, affectionately known as “Mamy.”

Pierre Lacocque and his family may hail from Europe, rather than the Mississippi Delta, but indeed they have lived the blues.

“Our grandmother (Madeleine) went through two World Wars, lost her eldest son Jean (Pierre’s uncle) when he was 17. He died at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp (Upper Austria). Like his father Alfred, Jean had been involved in Resistance activities. Pierre’s grandfather was imprisoned and tortured by the Nazis. He twice faced a firing squad but was rescued by a local priest who vouched for his innocence. Mamy never recovered from Jean’s death and always wore black clothes,” Pierre relates.

Both sets of Pierre’s maternal and paternal grandparents in Ransart, Belgium were involved in the Resistance, helping Jewish families, and also providing food for the poor. “They had a farm and used it for the good. Fairness and love-in-action was Mamy’s life-long motto,” Pierre proudly notes.

As a bandleader, Lacocque is famously known for the fairness and generosity he extends to his bandmates, whether on the road, performing live or in the studio.

On Madeleine, he is joined by MH alumni and extra special guests: Lurrie Bell, Carl Weathersby, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, and backup vocalists Nanette Frank, Diane Madison & Mae Koen (who sang with Stevie Wonder, Otis Clay and Aretha Franklin). Longtime band members — singer Inetta Visor and guitarist/vocalist Michael Dotson — contributed their own songs, with Lacocque having written the majority of the 12 tracks. The versatile rhythm section is held down by drummer Terrence Williams, bassist Brian Quinn and percussionist Ruben Alvarez with Giles Corey on rhythm and lead guitars. Marc Franklin (trumpet) and Kirk Smothers (sax) add the brass and sass to MH’s sound.

Returning to the fold are Grammy and BMA winning producer Michael Freeman and keyboard whiz Christopher “Hambone” Cameron. Also, on piano is Delmark recording artist Johnny Iguana, who played in Junior Wells’ band. Daneshia Hamilton, a young singer from Chicago’s West Side, makes her MH debut on four tunes; her wonderful voice captivates the listener and draws them into each song’s story.

Madeleine stands as a fitting tribute to a remarkably unique and enduring band now entering its third decade; listen and enjoy the blues as only Mississippi Heat can play them!

–Linda Cain, Founder/Editor Chicago Blues Guide